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News:
CheckMite+
Update
FDA
Seizes Adulterated Honey
China
Dumping Scheme
Chinese
Honey Contaminated
ANTI-DUMPING
FACTS |
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FDA
Seizes Adulterated Honey
At the request of
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S.
Marshals seized adulterated imported bulk and
finished product honey from Hoyts Honey Farm,
Inc. in Baytown, Texas.
U.S. Marshals seized
266 drums of honey (each containing 639 pounds of
bulk honey) and five totes (each containing a net
weight of 3,000 pounds) after FDA tested and confirmed
the presence of unapproved food additive, chloramphenicol.
In accordance with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic
Act, food products that contain chloramphenicol,
an antibiotic, are adulterated and are not permitted
to be sold in or imported into this country.
This seizure is the third
enforcement action against similarly contaminated honey
in six months. The first such seizure occurred in August
2003 in Louisiana. The second seizure occurred in January
2003 when U.S. Marshals served a warrant on T. W. Burleson
and Son, Inc. in Waxahachie, TX. The continued monitoring
of food production and distribution at many levels
has enabled FDA to detect this adulterated honey since
the agency learned of the presence of chloramphenicol
in imported honey.
Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum
antibiotic drug used to treat life-threatening infections
in humans, usually when other alternatives are not
available. The use of this antibiotic is limited because
of its potentially life-threatening side effect, idiosyncratic
aplastic anemia. For the very small number of the population
susceptible to this side effect, exposure to chloramphenicol
could be serious or life threatening. Because of the
current uncertainty regarding the dose-response relationship
between chloramphenicol ingestion and aplastic anemia,
it is not possible to define a safe level for the presence
of this antibiotic in food products.
The agency will continue
to detain or seize any honey imports that contain chloramphenicol
to ensure that this product is not released for human
or animal consumption in the United States.
In response Bruce
Boynton, CEO of the National Honey Board said that
the National Honey Board supports the Food and Drug
Administration's system for testing and monitoring
honey. The seizure in Texas of some imported honey
contaminated with traces of chloramphenicol clearly
demonstrates that the monitoring systems in place are
working and effective.
The National Honey
Board strongly condemns any practice in the United
States or abroad that jeopardizes the purity of honey
and the reputation of the honey industry and its members.
The board strongly supports all efforts to maintain
a safe and wholesome supply of honey to consumers.
Based in Longmont,
Colorado, the National Honey Board is an industry-funded
research., consumer and promotion board whose mission
is to advance the use and application of honey and
honey products throughout the world.
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China
Dumping Scheme
U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE AND FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION
UNCOVER DUMPING SCHEME INVOLVING CONTAMINATED HONEY IMPORTS
FROM CHINA
Wednesday,
August 28, 2002 U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE AND FOOD & DRUG
ADMINISTRATION UNCOVER DUMPING SCHEME INVOLVING
CONTAMINATED HONEY IMPORTS FROM CHINA WASHINGTON,
D.C. -- The U.S. Customs Service (Customs) and
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today
announced that they have discovered bulk imports
of Chinese honey that were contaminated with
low levels of chloramphenicol (CAP), a potentially
harmful antibiotic and unapproved food additive.
The contaminated honey was detected during an
investigation into a widespread scheme to evade
payment of U.S. anti-dumping duties on bulk imports
of Chinese honey. To date, the investigation
has resulted in the detention of more than 50
containers of bulk Chinese honey at U.S. ports.
In an effort to evade U.S. anti-dumping duties,
this honey had allegedly been illegally transshipped
through third-party countries on its way from
China to America. Some of the bulk honey in these
containers has tested positive for chloramphenicol,
an antibiotic used, in most cases, only to treat
life-threatening infections in humans when other
alternatives are not available. Use of chloramphenicol
is limited because this antibiotic is associated
with a very rare, but potentially life-threatening
side effect - idiosyncratic aplastic anemia.
For the very small number of people susceptible
to this side effect, exposure to chloramphenicol
could be serious. A "safe" limit of
chloramphenicol for such people has not been
established. Nevertheless, the probability of
this reaction occurring in the general population
from food exposure is thought to be very low.
To protect the public from unnecessary exposure
to potentially harmful substances, food and animal
feed products containing chloramphenicol are
illegal in the United States. Currently, Customs
is stopping all suspect bulk honey imports to
this country for the FDA to determine whether
they contain chloramphenicol. Any shipments containing
chloramphenicol will be detained. The FDA is
unaware at present of contaminated honey being
on retail shelves, but is continuing its investigation
into this matter. Thus far, no illnesses have
been reported in association with the imported
honey. As part of the investigation, Customs
and FDA agents during the past week have executed
search warrants on businesses and residences
in Los Angeles, Newark, Tampa, and other locations.
Australian Customs, Royal Malaysian Customs,
and Royal Thai Customs have also executed warrants
in Australia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Additional
enforcement activity is anticipated in the investigation. "This
investigation should serve notice that U.S. Customs
will not tolerate unfair trading practices, especially
those that pose potential health risks to the
American public," said U.S. Customs Commissioner
Robert C. Bonner. "This case is an excellent
example of cooperation between U.S. Customs,
the FDA, as well as authorities in Australia,
Thailand, and Malaysia." "We will continue
to work with our federal and international partners
to ensure that products that cross our borders
meet our high standards for food safety," said
FDA Deputy Commissioner Dr. Lester M. Crawford. "The
FDA will take whatever action is necessary to
protect the public health from these kinds of
activities." The probe into this scheme
began primarily as a dumping investigation. Dumping
of a product occurs when merchandise manufactured
outside of the United States is sold in the United
States at a price that is below the cost of production,
or below the price sold in the foreign home market.
Foreign manufacturers and or/importers may dump
products on the U.S. market in order to gain
market share because of political or social concerns
or to maximize profits/minimize losses in production.
In Sept. 2000, several U.S. honey producers filed
an unfair trade case alleging dumping of honey
imports from China. In May 2001, the U.S. Commerce
Department issued a notice of preliminary determination
which required U.S. Customs to collect anti-dumping
duties on imports of natural bees honey from
certain Chinese companies. The duty rates increased
between 34 and 184 percent. The U.S. Customs
Attaché in Bangkok, Thailand, subsequently
received information that certain honey exports
from China were allegedly being illegally transshipped
through Thailand en route to the United States.
The purpose of the alleged transshipment scheme
was to circumvent payment of anti-dumping duties
on Chinese honey imports to the United States.
In June 2002, U.S. Customs Attachés in
Bangkok and Singapore launched an investigation
and began working with their law enforcement
counterparts in Australia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Officials from the Royal Thai Customs, Royal
Malaysian Customs, and Australian Customs provided
substantial assistance. Several domestic U.S.
Customs offices joined the investigation, including
those in Los Angeles, Newark, Tampa, Houston,
Detroit, and Seattle. Soon, Customs agents found
that U.S.-bound Chinese bulk honey was allegedly
being transshipped through Australia, Mexico,
Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and other nations
to evade U.S. anti-dumping duties. During the
investigation, Customs officers in Los Angeles
drew samples of bulk Chinese honey from several
detained containers that had arrived at the local
port. A laboratory analysis found that the honey
samples contained chloramphenicol. Customs notified
the FDA, which immediately joined the investigation
given the health issues associated with chloramphenicol.
Analysis by FDA laboratories confirmed the presence
of chloramphenicol in the imported Chinese honey.
Since the discovery of chloramphenicol in the
Chinese honey imports, Customs has been stopping
all suspect bulk imports of honey for the FDA
to test for the presence of chloramphenicol.
The FDA has developed a method to confirm chloramphenicol
levels in honey at one part per billion. The
FDA and Customs are continuing to coordinate
their enforcement strategies and will be detaining
or seizing any honey imports that contain chloramphenicol
to ensure that they are not released for human
or animal consumption in the United States
For an archive Catch the Buzz postings, visit:
http://bee.airoot.com/beeculture/buzz/index.html
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Chinese
Honey Contaminated
HEALTH
HAZARD ALERT CERTAIN FOOD PRODUCTS MAY CONTAIN
CHLORAMPHENICOL OTTAWA, April 19, 2002 - The public
warning issued on April 18, 2002 has been expanded
to include additional product information. The
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning
consumers not to consume certain food products
(see attached table) which may contain Chloramphenicol.
These products have been manufactured using honey
imported from China found to contain Chloramphenicol.
The affected products are sold without labels or
with labels under various brand names as listed
in the attached table. Consumers who have purchased
unlabeled products should verify with their retailer
whether they are affected by this alert. These
products are being voluntarily recalled from the
marketplace by the manufacturers. Chloramphenicol
is a drug which is not permitted for use in Canada
(or the U.S.) in food producing animals, including
bees. Consumption of chloramphenicol contaminated
products may pose a human health risk related to
the inherent toxicity of the drug. The CFIA is
continuing to monitor all imports of Chinese honey.
There have been no reported illnesses associated
with the consumption of these products. As the
CFIA investigation continues, the attached list
of products will be updated as necessary. The CFIA
is monitoring the effectiveness of the recalls.
For more information, consumers and industry can
call the CFIA at one of the following numbers:
In the province of Quebec 1-800-561-3350; or In
other provinces and territories 1-800-442-2342.
For information on receiving recalls by electronic
mail, or for other food safety facts, visit our
web site at www.inspection.gc.ca. CERTAIN FOOD
PRODUCTS MAY CONTAIN CHLORAMPHENICOL APRIL 19,
2002 Brand / Product Size UPC Codes Distribution "Au
goût du jour", English Muffins Honey
Butter, 6 pack 340 g 059608 184278 Best Before
dates up to and including 25 AL 02 Quebec "Au
goût du jour", English Muffins 100%
Whole Wheat, 6 pack * 340 g 059608 184292 Best
Before dates up to and including 25 AL 02 Quebec
"L'Authentique", English Muffins 100% Whole
Wheat * 340 g 059608 911614 0802 to 1072 found on
the right side of the bag closure Quebec Merit Selection,
English Muffins Honey Butter 340 g 059749 340656
0802 to 1072 found on the right side of the bag closure
Quebec, Ontario Merit Selection, English Muffins
Whole Wheat * 340 g 059749 340731 0802 to 1072 found
on the right side of the bag closure Quebec, Ontario
Super C, English Muffins 100% Whole Wheat 340 g 062609
103490 codes up to and including AL 27 Quebec POM
New York New York, 100% Whole Wheat English Muffins,
Sliced 340 g 061077 778315 codes up to and including
AL 27 Quebec Betty, 100% Whole Wheat English Muffins
* 340 g 059243 001824 AL01 to AL27 found on the right
side of the bag closure Quebec, Ontario Country Goodness,
Multigrain, 6 Bagels * 510 g 059608 019907 0802 to
1072 found on the right side of the bag closure Ontario
Country Goodness, Whole Wheat 'n Honey, 6 Bagels
510 g 059608 019808 0802 to 1072 found on the right
side of the bag closure Ontario Tim Hortons, Multigrain
Bagels -- -- purchased between March 21 to April
18 Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic Provinces Tim Hortons,
Muesli and Fruit Bagels -- -- purchased between March
25 to April 18 Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic Provinces
Tim Hortons, Whole Wheat 'n Honey Bagels -- -- purchased
between March 21 to April 18 Quebec, Ontario and
Atlantic Provinces 100% Whole Wheat &
Honey Bagels (by Fiera Foods Company, North York,
Ontario) -- -- purchased between April 14 and 18
Sold through bulk sales at retailers in Ontario Carrot
Nut Muffins (by Amore Sweets Corporation, Toronto,
Ontario) -- -- purchased between March 14 and April
18 Sold in various food establishments such as cafeterias,
coffee shops, delis, and restaurants in Ontario Raisin
Bran Muffins (by Amore Sweets Corporation, Toronto,
Ontario) -- -- purchased between March 14 and April
18 Sold in various food establishments such as cafeterias,
coffee shops, delis, and restaurants in Ontario Honey
Bran Muffins (by Amore Sweets Corporation, Toronto,
Ontario) -- -- purchased between March 14 and April
18 Sold in various food establishments such as cafeterias,
coffee shops, delis, and restaurants in Ontario LF
Blueberry Muffins (by Amore Sweets Corporation, Toronto,
Ontario) -- -- purchased between March 14 and April
18 Sold in various food establishments such as cafeterias,
coffee shops, delis, and restaurants in Ontario LF
Cranapple Muffins (by Amore Sweets Corporation, Toronto,
Ontario) -- -- purchased between March 14 and April
18 Sold in various food establishments such as cafeterias,
coffee shops, delis, and restaurants in Ontario LF
Carrot Muffins (by Amore Sweets Corporation, Toronto,
Ontario) -- -- purchased between March 14 and April
18 Sold in various food establishments such as cafeterias,
coffee shops, delis, and restaurants in Ontario LF
Triple Berry Muffins (by Amore Sweets Corporation,
Toronto, Ontario) -- -- purchased between March 14
and April 18 Sold in various food establishments
such as cafeterias, coffee shops, delis, and restaurants
in Ontario LF Lemon Crunch Muffins (by Amore Sweets
Corporation, Toronto, Ontario) -- -- purchased between
March 14 and April 18 Sold in various food establishments
such as cafeterias, coffee shops, delis, and restaurants
in Ontario Apple Spice Muffins (by Amore Sweets Corporation,
Toronto, Ontario) -- -- purchased between March 14
and April 18 Sold in various food establishments
such as cafeterias, coffee shops, delis, and restaurants
in Ontario Oatmeal Chunk Cookies (by Amore Sweets
Corporation, Toronto, Ontario) -- -- purchased between
March 14 and April 18 Sold in various food establishments
such as cafeterias, coffee shops, delis, and restaurants
in Ontario Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (by Amore Sweets
Corporation, Toronto, Ontario) -- -- purchased between
March 14 and April 18 Sold in various food establishments
such as cafeterias, coffee shops, delis, and restaurants
in Ontario Plain Bagels (by Amore Sweets Corporation,
Toronto, Ontario) -- -- purchased between March 14
and April 18 Sold in various food establishments
such as cafeterias, coffee shops, delis, and restaurants
in Ontario Seeded Bagels (by Amore Sweets Corporation,
Toronto, Ontario) -- -- purchased between March 14
and April 18 Sold in various food establishments
such as cafeterias, coffee shops, delis, and restaurants
in Ontario Muesli Bagels (by Amore Sweets Corporation,
Toronto, Ontario) -- -- purchased between March 14
and April 18 Sold in various food establishments
such as cafeterias, coffee shops, delis, and restaurants
in Ontario Apple Cinnamon Bagels (by Amore Sweets
Corporation, Toronto, Ontario) -- -- purchased between
March 14 and April 18 Sold in various food establishments
such as cafeterias, coffee shops, delis, and restaurants
in Ontario Garden Cheddar Bagels (by Amore Sweets
Corporation, Toronto, Ontario) -- -- purchased between
March 14 and April 18 Sold in various food establishments
such as cafeterias, coffee shops, delis, and restaurants
in Ontario * These products do not mention honey
in the list of ingredients. APRIL 18, 2002 Brand
/ Product Size UPC Codes Distribution Hollandia Speculaas
Cookies 325 g 060465 201060 C2219, C2226 C2231, C1238
Ontario and Nova Scotia Hollandia Speculaas Cookies
2/$3.00 325 g 060465 201060 C2219, C2226 C2231, C1238
Ontario and Nova Scotia Hollandia Speculaas Cookies
5 lbs N/A Best Before Aug 19, 2002 Aug 26, 2002 Ontario
Hollandia Speculaas Cookies 9 lbs N/A Best Before
Aug 07, 2002 Aug 19. 2002 Ontario Oakrun Honey Butter
English Muffins, 6 pack 340 g 059608 001100 All Codes
Ontario Oakrun 100% Whole Wheat English Muffins,
6 pack 340 g 059608 001605 All Codes Ontario Honey
Butter English Muffins, 6 pack (plain bag by Oakrun
Farm Bakery Ltd.) 340 g 059608 001117 All Codes Ontario
100% Whole Wheat English Muffins, 6 pack (plain bag
by Oakrun Farm Bakery Ltd.) 340 g 059608 001612 All
Codes Ontario.
For an archive Catch the Buzz postings, visit:
http://bee.airoot.com/beeculture/buzz/index.html
Top
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ANTI-DUMPING
FACTS |
| The U.S. government
handed a sweet victory to U.S. honey producers in early
November by ruling that honey imports from Argentina
and China injured the domestic industry.
The International Trade
Commission (ITC) issued the ruling, which was the
final step in a year-long investigation into alleged
unfair trading activities practiced by Chinese and
Argentinean honey exporters and the government of
Argentina. The ruling authorizes the U.S. Customs
Service to impose antidumping duties ranging between
33% and 61% on honey imports from Argentina and between
26% and 184% on Chinese imports. |
| For purposes of
these investigations, the products covered
consist of natural honey, artificial honey
containing more than 50% natural honey by weight,
preparations of natural honey containing more
than 50% natural honey by weight and flavored
honey. The subject products include all grades
and colors of honey whether in liquid, creamed,
comb, cut comb, or chunk form and whether packaged
for retail or in bulk form. |
As a result of yesterday’s
decision, the U.S. Customs Service will impose antidumping
duties on Chinese honey imports from the exporters
who engaged in the import surges that entered the
United States up to 90 days before the announcement
of the preliminary determination Said SHA President
Jerry Probst, "Clearly, these imports were being
dumped in the U.S. at less than fair value and stealing
U.S. market share. The hundreds of domestic honey
producers who belong to the Sioux Honey Association
and suffered injury due to these unfairly traded
imports can now return to a leveled-off playing field
and compete fairly and squarely."
According to the petition
filed by the AHPA and SHA with the U.S. government,
in 2000, combined honey imports into the U.S. from
Argentina and China were 158 million pounds, up from
only 100 million pounds in 1998. Over the same three
year period, the price of these imports in the United
States fell about 25%. Although the amount of honey
consumed each year in the U.S. has increased significantly
between 1998 and 2000, U.S. market share for domestic
honey producers fell, while the share held by imports
from China and Argentina increased significantly.
Printed with permission
of Bee Culture.
|
Important
Numbers (million lbs.) |
(Through Oct.)
Imports From
1998 1999 2000
2001 |
Canada
China
Argentina
All Countries |
13.19
27.53
77.37
135.4 |
27.55
47.87
86.20
174.3 |
29.28
53.56
98.91
194.2 |
13.92
47.03
53.56
NA |
| U.S.
Production &
Carry Over |
301.1 |
284.6 |
307.3 |
NA |
|
| An additional
countervailing duty of 6% will be imposed on imports
from Argentina to offset the unfair subsidies granted
by that country’s government to its honey producers.
The ITC ruling essentially
wrapped-up an unfair trade case filed on September
29, 2000 by the American honey Producers (AHPA) and
the Sioux Honey Association (SHA). According to AHPA
President Richard Adee, whose organization represents
about 800 domestic beekeepers,
"We are delighted that the U.S. government’s
investigation into these unfair trading practices confirmed
what U.S. honey producers have been up against for
years. We are particularly pleased that the ITC affirmed
that critical circumstances exist, which means that
there are millions of dollars of potential dumping
duties to be collected." The U.S. honey industry
charged that Chinese exporters flooded the U.S. market
with honey just prior to the imposition of the preliminary
antidumping duties last May.
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